A rare sighting of a beaver in the Little Stour has excited wildlife experts.

The animal was spotted in the water at Seaton Weir near Ickham by a dog walker who captured blurred footage of it on a mobile phone.

The British beaver was driven to extinction in the 16th century after being hunted for its fur but now there are a few re-introduced wild colonies in England.

Peter Smith, of the Wildwood animal park at Herne, which has its own small colony, said: “I have seen the footage and there is no doubt it’s a beaver.

“It’s certainly not one of ours or one from the Kent Wildlife’s colony at its fenced reserve at Ham Fen near Sandwich.

“So that makes it all the more exciting that there could be a small family in our rivers.

“We have also been called to the scene a couple of times where beavers have been killed on the roads in east Kent, which supports that theory.”

Mr Smith says there are only eight known wild beaver colonies in England – making the Canterbury sighting that much more special.

He added: “Despite what some landowners say, every decent scientist believes beavers are very good for our river systems. They reduce pollution and help establish vital flood plains.

“It is brilliant news and they should be encouraged. Sadly, they are not a protected species yet, but we are hoping new legislation will change that.”

During heavy flooding in February 2014, a beaver was seen swimming in Pegwell Bay near Ramsgate, having apparently come down the Stour.

Remarkably, it was later found hiding under a car in Cliffsend near Ramsgate and the RSPCA was called.

The distressed animal is thought to have come from the Ham Fen nature reserve and was given veterinary care before being taken to Wildwood, which works with the reserve.